Securing a job interview is a significant achievement, but it's only the first step. The real challenge lies in making a memorable impression during the interview itself. Whether it's a Zoom video call or a traditional face-to-face meeting, the principles of good interview techniques remain the same. In this comprehensive guide, we'll provide you with essential job interview tips on how to make a great impression, ensuring you stand out from the competition.
One of the most crucial job interview tips is to conduct in-depth research about the company. Delve into the company's website. Check their latest press releases. Review their social media presence. All of these tasks help you better understand the company's goals, values, and culture. A deep understanding of their mission and values will allow you to curate your answers to demonstrating those values. Showing how you demonstrate the company’s values will help you confidently articulate how you can contribute to their mission during the interview as well as show you are a good cultural fit.
If possible, find out who will be interviewing you. Look them up on professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn. This will allow you to gain insights into their roles, interests, and professional background. This information can help you establish a rapport during the interview. When it comes down to it most job skills can be taught so the interview is more so a formal way of assessing how well you will work with and integrate into the team and culture. This is incredibly important because studies have shown that sitting next to a highly productive worker increases your own productivity by 15%. The same goes for sitting near an underperformer; it can decrease your productivity by 30% (Kellogg Study).
The job description is a treasure trove of information. It outlines what the employer, more specifically what the hiring manager, is seeking in a candidate. Revisit it to understand the key skills and experiences required for the role. This will enable you to tailor your responses to highlight how your background aligns with these requirements. Additionally, it allows you to anticipate and rehearse some of the common interview questions for the role. As you review the job description prepare yourself for the salary negotiation. Download our free Salary Benchmarking Guide and Salary Negotiation Tactics or read our Salary Benchmarking article to walk you through the process.
It may seem a little counterintuitive to review your own resume, but reviewing your resume is vital. It is especially important if you follow the best resume writing practice of customizing your resume to each job application. This will allow you to recall which specific skills and experiences you highlighted. Having those skills and experiences at top of mind is especially important because any item on your resume is fair game for an interview question that is customized to your resume specifically.
Prepare for behavioral interview questions by using the STAR method. This technique encourages you to frame your responses in terms of Situation, Task, Action, and Result, providing a clear and concise narrative of your past experiences. It may not be easy to answer using this framework at first, but that is why it is important to rehearse your answers so you can feel comfortable answering any question even the ones you did not rehearse.
As mentioned above, reviewing the job description can give you an idea of the type of interview questions you could be asked. Take the questions you anticipate and rehearse answering them. This allows you to integrate the skills and experiences you reviewed from your resume into your answers. If this is not your first time interviewing you may be able to recall previous interview questions that you have struggled with in the past. By rehearsing your answers you are giving yourself extra opportunities to practice answering those questions and improving your interviewing skills. It is best to practice and refine your skills before the rubber hits the road especially when a good interview is the last roadblock between you and your dream position.
First, to leverage ChatGPT, you must clearly understand the job profile and the company culture. If you have followed the steps above you will already have a baseline idea, but chatGPT is a useful tool to further refine it. To do so the AI tool requires specific and relevant information to generate appropriate questions.
To refine the work you have already done above with AI input the detailed job description into ChatGPT. The AI uses this information to generate questions that assess the candidate's skills and experience relevant to the job.
Prompt: You are a seasoned hiring manager with over 20 years of experience. You are responsible for this job posting. Based on this job description, what are the 10 most common interview questions you will ask job applicants. Here is the job description. (Paste Job Description).
After asking ChatGPT to generate sample interview questions based on the provided information. The questions generated will focus on relevant ways to assess the candidate's ability to perform the job and fit into the company culture. Now you can use the AI to help understand and rehearse answering these questions.
Prompt: I am preparing for an interview, I’ll share the job description. The interviewer is going to ask me the question
(Insert question from original prompt).
Please list out the 3 main reasons why the interviewer is asking this question and give me 3 corresponding tips on how to structure my answer. Output this in a 2-column table format, with the 3 main reasons in the left hand column, and the 3 corresponding tips in the right-hand column. Here is the job description:
(Paste Job Description).
Prompt: Based on these tips and my own resume, write me an answer to the interview question (Insert Question). Use one specific example from my work experience. Use the STAR answer format: Situation/Task (project Background), Action (what I did), Results (include quantifiable metrics. Here is my Resume: (Insert Resume).
Finally, review the generated questions and answers, and refine them if necessary. Make sure they're tailored to the specific job requirements and align with the company's values and culture.
In addition to curating custom interview questions, ChatGPT can also generate sample answers to behavioral interview questions. This can help candidates prepare for the interview and provide interviewers with a benchmark for assessing responses.
Remember, interviews are a two-way street. The interviewer wants to see that you're invested in the role and have taken the time to think critically about it. Prepare a list of insightful questions that demonstrate your understanding of the role and your genuine interest in the company. Below is a list of some of my favorite questions some of which most interviewers have not been asked. You can also use ChatGPT or AI in a similar way to what was described above to create a custom list of good questions to ask.
First impressions matter. Ensure your attire is appropriate for the company culture. If you're unsure of the dress code, err on the side of caution and opt for a more formal outfit. Remember, it's better to be overdressed than underdressed.
Bring multiple copies of your resume, a list of references, and any other relevant documents. Having these on hand shows that you're prepared and organized.
Punctuality is a clear indicator of your professionalism and respect for the interviewer's time. Aim to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early. This gives you time to settle in and mentally prepare for the interview. Mentally prepare with positive self-talk and final review of what you did to prepare from section 1.
Treat everyone you encounter with respect, from the receptionist to the hiring manager. Your conduct with all staff members can contribute to the overall impression you create.
Body language can speak volumes about your confidence and interest in the role. Maintain an upright posture, keep your movements calm and composed, and maintain eye contact with the interviewer.
Authenticity is crucial in an interview. Be genuine in your responses, and maintain a positive demeanor. This helps in building a connection with the interviewer and leaves a lasting impression.
When responding to the interviewer's questions, honesty is paramount. Avoid exaggerating your skills or experiences. Keep your responses concise and focused, providing clear and relevant examples where possible.
Remember to use the STAR method when answering behavioral questions. This approach helps you provide structured and impactful responses that clearly demonstrate your problem-solving abilities. If you receive a question you do not feel prepared to answer, pause and collect your thoughts before answering. This will allow you to ensure you answer in a structured way and can answer in 2-3 minutes.
Show genuine enthusiasm for the role. Discuss why the position interests you and how it aligns with your career goals. This signals to the interviewer that you are motivated and excited about the prospect of joining their team.
Before concluding the interview, ask about the next steps in the hiring process. This demonstrates your continued interest in the role and keeps you informed about what to expect moving forward.
Sending a thank-you note after the interview expresses your gratitude for the opportunity and reinforces your interest in the position. Make sure to send individualized thank-you notes to each person you interviewed with.
In today's digital age, many companies conduct interviews via video conferencing platforms like Zoom. These virtual interactions require a slightly different approach. Here are some Zoom job interview tips to ensure you make a great impression even when you're not physically present.
Ensure your internet connection is stable, and your audio and video are working correctly. Familiarize yourself with the platform's features in advance to avoid any technical hiccups during the interview.
Select a clutter-free, professional-looking background for your video call. Ensure the area is well-lit and free from distractions.
Even though the interview is taking place virtually, it's essential to dress as though you're meeting in person. Dressing professionally helps you get into the right mindset and conveys your seriousness about the role.
Remember, an interview is more than just a chance for employers to assess your fit for the role. It's also an opportunity for you to evaluate whether the company and position align with your career goals and values. By following these job interview tips, you can confidently navigate the interview process and leave a lasting impression on potential employers. Good luck with your job search! If you are actively searching and running into roadblocks along the way feel free to reference any of Acquired Salary’s free resources. If you are looking to take your career to the next level by a promotion or a salary negotiation schedule a free consultation with us today to see how we can help.
Career Mastery Community
How to get a promotion in less than 90 days and learn the 3 pillars to increase your Salary by 30% or more.
Ready to take your career to the next level?
Learn even more about successfully developing your career without going back to school. Click the button to join Acquired Salary's Career Mastery Mastermind!
Career coaches assess skills and values to align them with suitable career paths. They offer strategic advice on job search activities, including crafting compelling resumes and cover letters. Career coaches can also assist with overcoming workplace challenges and fostering professional development.
If you find yourself feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or uncertain about your career path, a career coach can provide valuable insights and strategies to help you make informed decisions. Whether you're considering a career change, seeking professional growth, or looking to improve your job search techniques, a career coach can be a valuable partner in your journey to success.
The duration of career coaching varies depending on your unique circumstances and objectives. Some clients find value in a few focused sessions, while others choose ongoing support over an extended period. Your career coach will work with you to determine the most suitable timeframe and frequency of sessions to ensure maximum benefit.
There are benefits to both salary and hourly. The benefits of having a salary is the security of steady paychecks and on average salary employees tend to have a higher income than hourly employees.
When you have employees who are getting paid salary they are usually more productive if they are paid right. That is why salary negotiations are much more important. A salary increase plays a crucial role in productivity.
When negotiating salary there are mutliple ways you can be productive. These can include: becoming familiar with your industry, staying positive, practice, and more.